HIMALAYAN KINGDOMS: NEPAL & BHUTAN September 13-27, 2016 15 days from $5,097 total price from Boston, New York, Wash, DC ($4,495 air & land inclusive plus $602 airline taxes and fees) This tour is provided by Odysseys Unlimited, six-time honoree Travel & Leisure s World s Best Tour Operators award. An Exclusive Small Group Tour for Alumni, Family, & Friends of Dartmouth College Featuring Dirk Vandewalle, Associate Professor of Government
Dear Alumni, Family, and Friends of Dartmouth, Journey with us to the Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan! Discover fabled lands, tucked high up in the Himalayas, one steeped in Hindu culture and tradition, the other in Buddhist. Dirk Vandewalle, Associate Professor of Government at Dartmouth College, will enrich our tour of Nepal and Bhutan with lectures and commentary. Our tour begins in Kathmandu, where we visit hilltop Swayambhunath and tour a Buddhist pilgrimage site before exploring Kathmandu Valley, home to seven UNESCO sites. Next, stop in Patan, where we will take a walking tour of the UNESCO site of Patan Durbar Square, and enjoy a scenic drive to Nagarkot. From there, we return to Kathmandu for our flight to Thimphu, Bhutan. We visit the historic Tashichho Dzong fortress, and enjoy an evening Bhutanese culture performance and dinner in the home of a local family. Next, we ll take part in the sacred tradition of raising prayer flags, then visit a local rice farming village. Our tour concludes with a visit to Taktsang, the sacred Tiger s Nest Monastery, which hangs from a cliff some 3,000 feet above the upper Paro Valley. Space is limited to only 18 Dartmouth alumni and friends; please call today to reserve your place! Sincerely, Robin K. Albing, T 81 Director, Lifelong Learning and Travel http://alumni.dartmouth.edu/travel (603) 646-9159 Mary Ann R. Hunt Assistant Director, Lifelong Learning and Travel http://alumni.dartmouth.edu/travel (603) 646-9159 DARTMOUTH COLLEGE RESERVATION FORM: HIMALAYAN KINGDOMS: NEPAL & BHUTAN Enclosed is my/our deposit for $ ($500 per person) for person/people on Himalayan Kingdoms: Nepal & Bhutan departing September 13, 2016. I/we understand the final payment is due at least 95 days prior to departure. Payment may be made by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA or by personal check. Please make check payable to Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and mail deposit check to: Odysseys Unlimited, One Newton Place, 275 Washington St., Suite 300, Newton, MA 02458. For reservations and information, please call Odysseys Unlimited toll-free 888-370-6765. You may also fax your reservation to 617-454-9199. Full Passport Name Date of Birth Gender Full Passport Name Date of Birth Gender Address City State ZIP Home Ph. ( ) Cell Ph. ( ) Email Name(s) for Badge(s) Please book my/our air from I/we request a Business Class upgrade q I will share a room with I request a single room (limited availability) q Please Note: The undersigned has read the schedule of activites for Himalayan Kingdoms: Nepal & Bhutan, September 13-27, 2016, and agrees that their signature below represents their acceptance of the General Terms and Conditions. Signature(s) Date Method of Payment q Check q American Express q Discover q MasterCard q VISA Account # Security Code Exp. Date Name of Cardholder Signature Final invoicing will be sent by our tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. The balance of the program price must be paid to Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. Final payment is due 95 days prior to departure, and is payable by check or credit card.
Tour membership limited to 18 alumni, family, & friends of Dartmouth College HIMALAYAN KINGDOMS: NEPAL & BHUTAN 15 days from $5,097 total price from Boston, New York, Wash, DC ($4,495 air & land inclusive plus $602 airline taxes and fees) A singular journey to two distant and devout lands, different in fact yet similar in spirit. Hinduism in Nepal and Buddhism in Bhutan suffuse all aspects of life; in both nations, tradition and belief abide and surrounding Himalayan scenery casts a truly awe-inspiring spell. Day 1: Depart U.S. for Kathmandu, Nepal Day 2: Arrive Kathmandu We reach the Nepalese capital tonight and transfer to our hotel. NEPAL Kathmandu Map Legend Destination Air Motorcoach Entry/Departure Nagarkot Avg. High ( F) Sep Kathmandu 83 Thimphu 74 Paro 74 Paro Punakha Your Small Group Tour Highlights Thimphu BHUTAN Opportunity to visit two Himalayan countries Kathmandu touring Kathmandu Valley excursion Visit to Buddhist monastery Lunch with a Nepalese family in their home Patan s traditional arts and handcrafts Hindu shrine at Pashupatinath Temple Thimphu touring Dinner with a Bhutanese family Raising prayer flags at Dochula Pass Punakha river rafting trip Beautiful Punakha Dzong Historic Paro Tiger s Nest Monastery excursion Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Kathmandu 2-4 Kathmandu Hyatt Regency Kathmandu Deluxe 5-6 Nagarkot Club Himalaya Sup. First Nagarkot Class 7-8 Thimphu Namgay Heritage First Class 9-10 Punakha Damchen Resort Not rated 11-13 Paro Gangtey Palace First Class 14 Hyatt Regency Paro/Kathmandu/ Kathmandu Depart for U.S. (day room) Deluxe 15 Arrive U.S. Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed. Day 3: Kathmandu This morning we meet our fellow travelers and tour director for a briefing about the journey ahead. Then we get our first look at this landlocked Himalayan nation in Durbar Square, a jumble of ancient temples, palaces, court-yards, and streets. Next we visit hilltop Swayambhunath, the iconic Buddhist temple dating to about 500 bce. A 365-step climb brings us to the sacred UNESCO stupa, with its white dome, gilded spire, and all-seeing eyes of the Buddha. This afternoon we travel through Kathmandu Valley to Patan, known for its rich culture and artistic tradition. On a walking tour through the UNESCO site of Patan Durbar Square, we see some of the city s many Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples. Late afternoon we return to our hotel, where tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner. B,D Day 4: Kathmandu Today we see different aspects of Nepali life up close. First, we travel through the beautiful Kathmandu Valley to hilltop Kopan Monastery, home to 360 monks, lamas, and teachers. With majestic views of the valley below, the monastery and associated nunnery welcome seekers and visitors to study, meditate, and learn about the Mahayan Buddhism practiced here. After our visit we enjoy a small group highlight as we share lunch with a local family in their home. Later we visit Shechen Clinic and Hospice, a humanitarian project that provides sustainable medical services to local residents; and Boudhanath, one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage sites. B,L,D Day 5: Kathmandu/Nagarkot Leaving Kathmandu today, we stop at Nepal s oldest and holiest Hindu shrine, ornate Pashupatinath Temple. Here we see sadhus and sages who, in following the lifestyle of Lord Shiva, wear loincloths and cover themselves with ashes. We also may witness cremation ceremonies along the river bank; displaying appropriate respect to the Cover Photo: On Day 9 we visit Bhutan s Duchula Pass.
We see the Buddhist Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. mourners is requested of all visitors. We travel on to Bhaktapur, the least developed of the valley s three cities. Virtually a living open-air museum with its unspoiled ancient square and warrens of medieval streets, Bhaktapur is known for its fine artisans and many temples. We have time to explore then continue the scenic drive to Nagarkot, a hilltop village commanding a spectacular vista of Nepal s major Himalayan peaks. B,L Day 6: Nagarkot Early this morning we have an opportunity for an unforgettable experience: watching the sun rise over the fabled Himalaya from the hotel s rooftop observatory. Later, we embark on an easy walk around the village, where we have the chance to meet local people. The remainder of the day is at leisure amid the stunning Himalayan scenery. B,D Day 7: Nagarkot/Kathmandu/Thimphu, Bhutan We have another chance to see the sun rise over the peaks sacred in both Buddhism and Hinduism. Then we return to Kathmandu for the flight to Bhutan. Upon arrival in the Dragon Kingdom, we travel to the capital of Thimphu and our hotel, where we dine tonight. B,D Day 8: Thimphu Today s excursion begins at a local factory where paper is made by hand in the traditional way, followed by the Textile Museum, housing exquisite weavings from the 16 th century to modern times. Later we visit Tashichho Dzong, the historic fortress and monastery that today houses government offices, including those of the king; then Memorial Chorten, one of Bhutan s best-loved religious landmarks. Tonight we attend a Bhutanese cultural performance then dine in the home of a local family. B,L,D Day 9: Thimphu/Punakha En route to Paro today, we visit Kunselphodrang, the recently built Buddha Point where the world s largest sitting Buddha presides over the Thimphu valley. Then we set out for Punakha via Dochula Pass (alt. 10,000 feet), which offers views of snow-topped Himalayan peaks and where we follow the sacred tradition of raising prayer flags in the name of peace and compassion. We eat lunch here then continue on our way, stopping to visit a local rice farming village. Next: Chimi Lhakhang, the temple built by the Divine Madman in 1499. Late this afternoon we reach Punakha, which sits at the confluence of the Mo Chu ( Mother ) and Pho Chu ( Father ) rivers in a sub-tropical valley. B,L,D Day 10: Punakha We embark this morning on an exhilarating rafting trip on the Pho Chu River. This afternoon we visit Punakha Dzong, winter home of the central monastic community and one of the country s most attractive fortress monasteries, set on a spit of land where the rivers meet. B,L,D Day 11: Punakha/Thimphu/Paro We set out early to see more of Thimphu, including the National Library, with an immense collection of Buddhist manuscripts; and the Painting School, where students learn traditional Bhutanese arts. Late afternoon we depart for Paro, nestled in the center of a valley dotted with rice paddies, wheat fields, and scattered settlements. B,L,D Day 12: Paro We begin our tour of this historic town at Ta-Dzong, the national museum showcasing Bhutan s rich cultural heritage dating from at least 2000 bce to the present
As you walk and eat and travel, be where you are. Gautama Buddha day; then Rinpung Dzong, a superb example of Bhutanese architecture. After lunch we visit the sacred 7 th -century pilgrimage temple of Kyichu Lhakhang, and the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a 17 th -century victory fortress. B,L,D Day 13: Paro/Tiger s Nest Monastery Today we embark on a highlight of any trip to Bhutan: a visit to Paro Taktsang, the sacred Tiger s Nest monastery and temple complex perched on a cliff some 3,000 feet above the upper Paro Valley itself at an altitude of 10,200 feet. We embark on our scenic uphill hike early this morning (rental horses are available to take visitors about two-thirds of the way). Those not wishing to climb all the way up can see excellent views of Tiger s Nest from a waystation cafeteria. Late afternoon we return to our hotel, where tonight we celebrate at Spirituality pervades both Nepal and Bhutan. a farewell dinner. B,L,D Day 14: Paro/Kathmandu, Nepal/Depart for U.S. We fly this morning to Kathmandu, where we have day rooms and opportunities for exploring on our own, before our mid-afternoon departure for the airport and our overnight flights to the U.S. B,L Day 15: Arrive U.S. We arrive in the U.S. and connect with our flights home. Your Tour Price Includes Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary 12 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels 31 meals: 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip Luggage handling for one bag per person Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers Faculty Lecturer Dirk Vandewalle (PhD Columbia, 1988) teaches at the Government Department at Dartmouth College and the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. He is former chair of Dartmouth s Asian and Middle Eastern Studies program. His research and teaching focus on strategies of economic development in Emerging Economies, notably the Middle East, India, and China. As one of the world s leading academic authorities on Libya, Vandewalle served as Political Advisor to the UN pre-assessment team for Libya in summer 2011, and then as the Senior Political Advisor to the Carter Center s electoral observation mission in Libya. He is on the editorial board of several scholarly publications and lectures, and consults widely in policy and academic settings in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. He has led a dozen Dartmouth Alumni trips to, among other places, India, China and Tibet, Myanmar, South and western Africa. Tour Departs: September 13, 2016 Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees. Boston, New York, Washington, DC $5,097 Baltimore, Dallas, Orlando, $5,397 Philadelphia Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, $5,497 Minneapolis, Seattle, Tampa Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland (OR), $5,597 San Francisco Land only (transfers not included) $3,995 Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $602, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $695. All tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed. Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: $5,995 per person in addition to the above costs (upgrade is subject to availability and pricing is subject to change). Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. departure cities may require an overnight stay at the gateway city airport at your expense. Please note: This trip involves considerable walking uphill and on uneven terrain. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest. While the elevations are not severe, the relatively high altitude of Nagarkot (7,000 feet) and Thimphu and Paro (both 7,500 feet) could pose problems for travelers with certain health conditions. You should consult your physician if you have concerns. For reservations and information, please call Odysseys Unlimited toll-free at 888-370-6765 Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-7:00 PM, Eastern Time
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS Please read this information carefully, as payment of a $500 deposit per person represents your acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions. Not included in tour price Airfare when purchasing a Land Only package; costs of passports and visas; personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, room service and meals not specified; airport transfers when purchasing a Land Only package; communication charges; optional sightseeing; gratuities to your Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director, which are at your discretion (suggested gratuities $10-$15 per day, per traveler); travel protection insurance. Additional baggage fees may apply and are subject to change at any time. You should confirm directly with your airline prior to departure. Cancellations, refunds and changes If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon our receipt of your written notification. Refunds for cancellations are subject to the following per person charges: Cancel 95 days or more before departure: $200 charge; Cancel 94-65 days before departure: 25% of tour price; Cancel 64-45 days before departure: 50% of tour price; Cancel 44-30 days before departure: 75% of tour price; Cancel 29-0 days before departure: No refund. If a guest makes any changes within 94 and 30 days prior to departure to either their departure city and/or the optional post-tour extension, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. will apply a $100 per person administrative fee, in addition to any fees or penalties imposed by third parties. If your reservation changes from double occupancy to single occupancy for any reason, you will be charged the single supplement. No changes are allowed within 30 days of departure. Upon making your reservation you must provide your full legal name as it appears on your passport, your date of birth and your gender. In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, you will be responsible for charges associated with the ticket s reissue. Responsibility The liability of Dartmouth Alumni Continuing Education & Travel, as sponsor, and Odysseys Unlimited Inc., as tour operator, is strictly limited. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant and other services from independent suppliers not under our control. We serve only as agents for these suppliers in securing tour arrangements, and therefore will not accept responsibility for wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or omissions of these independent contractors, their employees, agents, servants or representatives. Dartmouth Alumni Continuing Education & Travel, and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. are not liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by events not within our control, including without limitation, acts of terrorism, war, strikes, the defect of any vehicle, or the negligence or default of any third party. All coupons, receipts, and tickets issued are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the air carriers, cruise line, and other independent suppliers. We will make every effort to operate our tours as planned, but we reserve the right to make itinerary changes as necessary. If unforeseen circumstances require us to change a hotel, we will select alternative accommodations of the same or better quality. Health and Medical Issues We request that you be in good health to participate in this Odysseys Unlimited tour. You must be able to get on and off motorcoaches on your own. We regret that we cannot offer individual assistance; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you. Please note that our itineraries cannot accommodate wheelchairs. We reserve the right to remove anyone whose physical or mental condition, in our opinion, compromises the operation of the tour or detracts from the enjoyment or safety of the other passengers. Dartmouth Alumni Continuing Education & Travel and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. assume no financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour. Air Transportation Important Information Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. includes in its tour price round trip economy air from designated gateway cities as shown and contracts with those airlines they feel provide the level of service, routings, and value necessary for your entire trip. While another airline may offer a more direct connection, it may be at a price unavailable at the lower group rates. You will receive your preliminary air schedule approximately 2½ months prior to departure. Please note that seat assignments on your international flight are usually done at airport check-in. Odysseys Unlimited is unable to guarantee any seat assignments. Due to the nature of tour operator tickets, other restrictions apply, including but not limited to, frequent flyer mileage accrual, stopovers, alternate travel dates, upgrades, and airline taxes and departure fees. If you prefer to make your own travel arrangements, Land Only is available on most tours. Since international and domestic air schedules are subject to change at any time, we recommend that if you choose to make your own airline reservations, you do not purchase non-refundable tickets or those with high penalties for changes. If you choose to make your own air arrangements, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. shall not have any liability for any loss resulting from cancellation of this tour or changes in this tour. 6068 Blunt Alumni Center Hanover, NH 03755-3590 Presorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. JOIN US FOR AN EXCLUSIVE DARTMOUTH TOUR TO NEPAL AND BHUTAN Guaranteed Small Group: Limited to 18 Guests